Supervillain Origins: Onslaught

This insanely powerful force within the X-Men Universe emerged to proclaim that the days of the human-mutant conflict would soon come to an end and that he would ensure the dominance of homo-superior. Resembling Magneto, this super-villain existed in the astral plane, from which he recruited followers to join his cause. Aside from his immense power, it's his unusual origin that meshed the negative traits of two mortal enemies that is the most compelling element of the character. Join WatchMojo.com as we explore the comic book origins of Onslaught. Special thanks to our user Jaime Enrique Gutierrez Pérez for submitting the idea on our WatchMojo.com/suggest page!

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Supervillain Origins: Onslaught

This dark entity emerged from within the X-men’s greatest foe! Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origins of Onslaught.

As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen to primarily follow the storyline, which unfolded in X-Man #15, and was expanded upon in 1992’s Uncanny X-Men #322, X-Men #53 and Wolverine #104.

This insanely powerful force within the X-Men Universe was first revealed when it, as a shadowy menace attacked the mutant Sebastian Shaw and his telepathic colleague. Hidden from sight, the menace exclaimed to have come to enlist their servitude, and offer them a chance to join his cause for a power beyond their dreams.

Following this, Onslaught was first mentioned by name when the X-men investigated the Juggernaut having crash-landed in New Jersey, apparently attacked by a far more powerful force.

The full scope of the danger ahead was only revealed when Jean Grey was pulled into the Astral plane by the new threat. There, the villain was revealed to wear a similar, albeit robust version of Magneto’s armor.

Telling her that they had much to discuss, he explained that the days of the human-mutant conflict would soon come to an end, and he would need her assistance to ensure the dominance of homo-superior.

When Jean Grey told him that she fights for a brighter tomorrow, Onslaught mocked at her willingness to follow professor X’s dream.

Journeying together through the dream-like astral plane, Jean’s questioning angered the being, who became frustrated at her insolence.

As a result, he decided to show her the extent to human hypocrisy, taking her to Graydon Creed’s presidential campaign headquarters, which based it’s run on an anti-mutant platform.

Overhearing the candidate mention a plan to arrest all mutants when elected, Onslaught proclaimed that the X-Men dream of harmony can never come to pass. As a telepath, Jean Grey admitted to already knowing this truth, and that she finds solace in surrounding herself with friends.

In response, Onslaught took her to spy on Professor X. With Jean Grey becoming very skeptical, Onslaught pushed her into the professor’s mind.

While Jean made the case that she knew the professor since childhood and they shared a bond as the world’s most powerful telepaths, Onslaught decided to cast doubts on her trust in Xavier as a father figure.

Taking her into Xavier’s supposed repressed memory, he showed her that Xavier was actually in love with her, despite their father-daughter relationship.

While Jean voiced denial, Onslaught told her Xavier built up his image as a saint by burying all of his negative emotions, which consisted of every fear, bit of rage, passion, prejudice and anger.

Drowning her in the negative energy and calling it “The true Xavier”, Jean pleaded to know who the mysterious force really was.

In response, Onslaught proclaimed that he is a being free of the hypocrisy surrounding everyone else, and that he is raw power unleashed. Making the pitch for her to give in and admit how much she enjoyed her dark Phoenix powers, he asked her to join him, claiming to be the one truth in a world of lies.

Refusing the offer, Onslaught told her that he is a great and terrible force beyond comprehension, a god demanding that all worship him.

Onslaught’s origin was soon revealed as the psychic creation of Professor Xavier, a man whose frail body and hidden secrets merged with the ambition of Magneto, all to create the evil entity bent on enslaving the world.

This was shown to have occurred at a time when Magneto had ripped the Adamantium out of Wolverine’s body. This prompted Xavier, clad in a mobility suit, to his telepathic powers to temporarily wipe Magneto’s mind when he was caught without his protective helmet.

While Magneto did get temporary amnesia, Xavier’s attack on Magneto’s essence unleashed a manifestation of Magneto’s dark ego upon the astral realm, which merged with Xavier’s psychic avatar as well.

A menace of pure psionic energy, and created from elements of both mutant leaders, the X-men soon joined forces with a range of other Marvel heroes to save the Earth.

A supreme being that has re-emerged several times and in evolving forms, Onslaught is best known for being more powerful then the sum of it’s parts, even surpassing Omega levels of energy. While he hasn’t appeared in the cartoons or films as of yet, he did emerge as a playable character in the Marvel Vs. Capcom series.

Are you a fan of this amalgamation from both sides of the X-Men conflict? For more entertaining comic book origins, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.